GEORGETOWN – The town’s Community Gardens, which have been allowed to overgrow in recent years, is being made ready for a new plantings next spring thanks to a local businessman and several civic groups.

This weekend, the American Legion Georgetown chapter gave Alan Aulson a check for $500 to buy winter rye seeds after it is cleared by Aulson’s herd of goats and volunteers.

Aulson, who owns Goats to Go, brought about 50 goats, which eat 7 pounds of brush a day, to the community gardens last week to clear a large swath of the overgrowth.

“We’re at the point now where there are only a handful of truly stellar lots, almost hidden, behind overgrowth lots,” Aulson wrote. “The place has deteriorated – for whatever reason – over many, many years to the point where it needs a massive effort to restore it to its gardening purpose.”

The current state of the gardens, he said, is “no longer usable by many newcomers and seniors, as the equipment required to restore even one small plot to garden usage is daunting.”

About nine gardens out of 76 are currently in cultivation.

Time for
Georgetown to Rediscover its
Gardens

Aulson has scheduled a week of clearing starting Sept. 26 by volunteers.

The question is whether Aulson has the permission of the town’s Conservation Commission (ConCom), which stewards the land.

The SelectBoard voted last week to accept Aulson’s donation, but reminded him that he must have the permission of the ConCom. The ConCom did not meet last week on Aulson’s proposal because it did not have a quorum. [Editor’s Note: Only three members were present to discuss the item they had placed on their agenda from Aulson, so after a brief discussion with him, the acting chair said they would have to meet in the future when enough members were present to vote.]

Two ConCom members, Ida Wye and Amy Smith, were on hand to observe the goats in action and the delivery of the American Legion check. They met with SelectBoard member Laura Repplier to discuss plans for the future of the gardens.

Some members of the ConCom were unaware of Aulson’s plans. The full ConCom is expected to meet Thursday this week in a special meeting to discuss the clean-up of the gardens and probably vote on Aulson’s proposal to rehabilitate the entire garden area, not just the front.

The gardens are part of the Lufkins Brook Conservation Area, a protected natural space featuring a scenic 1.5-mile walking trail and a pond that feeds the town’s water well.

Lufkins Brook, about 180 acres, was purchased in the early 1970s with state funds and local monies as a recreational area with a trail, passive recreation (gardening) and to help protect the town’s wetlands and water supply.

It also received taxpayer funded grants from the town’s Community Preservation Commission. The CPC money is matched by state grants.

The proposal by Aulson, which owns the Great Rock Farm and Goats to Go, would provide all equipment, plows and services to restore the area for gardening next spring. “We will do this at no cost to the town,” Aulson wrote.

Together with several civic organization, he and the volunteers would:

• Clean and clear area of gardens
• Clear brush, plow ground and seed winter rye in disturbed areas
• Remove all fences, posts, boxes and all other debris from abandoned lots.
• Contact known users of plots.
• Develop or refresh rules of use.
• Solicit volunteers to work and manage the area in conjunction with the ConCom agent.
• Solicit donations or grants.
• Make purchases not to exceed donations.

Donations include Sheriff Department labor, $300 from the Kiwanis Club and $100 from the Knights of Columbus.

To volunteer, bring a metal detector or small four wheeler or donate money, contact Aulson at 508-451-1987